Audio driver and power supply unit architecture

Abstract

This disclosure relates to speakers and more specifically to an array speaker for distributing music uniformly across a room. A number of audio drivers can be radially distributed within a speaker housing so that an output of the drivers is distributed evenly throughout the room. In some embodiments, the exit geometry of the audio drivers can be configured to bounce off a surface supporting the array speaker to improve the distribution of music throughout the room. The array speaker can include a number of vibration isolation elements distributed within a housing of the array speaker. The vibration isolation elements can be configured to reduce the strength of forces generated by a subwoofer of the array speaker.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An array speaker, comprising:
 a device housing; 
 audio driver assemblies distributed radially within the device housing and defining a central recess within the device housing; and 
 a power supply unit, a portion of the power supply unit being disposed within the central recess, the power supply unit being configured to supply power to the audio driver assemblies. 
 
     
     
       2. The array speaker as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an amplifier board electrically coupled to each of the audio driver assemblies, the amplifier board defining a central opening through which a longitudinal axis of the device housing extends. 
 
     
     
       3. The array speaker as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the power supply unit extends through the central opening defined by the amplifier board. 
     
     
       4. The array speaker as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 amplifiers disposed on the amplifier board, at least one of the amplifiers being associated with each of the audio driver assemblies. 
 
     
     
       5. The array speaker as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the amplifier board is electrically coupled to each of the audio driver assemblies by way of a conductive fastener. 
     
     
       6. The array speaker as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each one of the audio driver assemblies comprises drive screw terminals having a threaded aperture configured to receive a conductive fastener and an internal terminal coupled to an electrically conductive wire electrically coupled to one or more audio components disposed within the audio driver assemblies. 
     
     
       7. An electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing having a central region; and 
 audio driver assemblies distributed radially within the device housing, each of the audio driver assemblies comprising:
 a voice coil assembly; 
 an annual printed circuit board electronically coupled to one or more of the audio driver assemblies; and 
 a diaphragm positioned between the voice coil assembly and the central region of the device housing such that audio waves generated by the diaphragm are initially oriented toward the central region of the device housing. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of the audio driver assemblies is connected to a channel that reorients a portion of the audio waves toward a periphery of the device housing. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the audio driver assemblies are secured to a first end of the device housing. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first end of the device housing defines the channel connected to each of the audio driver assemblies. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a power supply unit positioned between two or more of the audio driver assemblies. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a power receptacle having a receptacle arranged along an exterior surface of the device housing; and 
 power receptacle circuitry extending from the power receptacle, between two of the audio driver assemblies and to the power supply unit. 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each audio driver assembly has a discrete housing enclosing the diaphragm and the voice coil assembly. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the annular printed circuit board is supported by two or more of the audio driver assemblies. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 an array of audio driver assemblies disposed within the housing at a regular radial interval, each audio driver assembly of the array of audio driver assemblies being configured to generate audio waves that exit the housing through acoustic vents defined by a downward facing end of the housing; and 
 a power supply unit suspended above the array of audio driver assemblies, the power supply unit having a first portion protruding between two or more audio driver assemblies of the array of audio driver assemblies. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first portion of the power supply unit passes through a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein an electrically conductive cable supplying power to the power supply unit is routed between two of the audio driver assemblies. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the array of audio driver assemblies are pressed against one end of the housing by a threaded annular ring that engages threading defined by an interior facing surface of the housing. 
     
     
       19. An array speaker, comprising:
 a device housing; 
 audio driver assemblies distributed radially about an interior of the device housing; 
 a power supply unit positioned between two or more of the audio driver assemblies; and 
 an amplifier board electrically coupled to each of the audio driver assemblies, the amplifier board defining a central opening through which a longitudinal axis of the device housing and a portion of the power supply unit extend. 
 
     
     
       20. An electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing; 
 audio driver assemblies arranged in a circular configuration within the device housing, diaphragms of each audio driver assembly arranged so that audio waves generated by the diaphragms are initially oriented toward a central region of the circular configuration, wherein each of the audio driver assemblies is connected to a channel that reorients a portion of the audio waves toward a periphery of the device housing; 
 a computer-readable memory disposed within the device housing; 
 a microphone disposed at an exterior surface of the device housing; and 
 one or more processors disposed within the device housing and coupled to the computer-readable memory, the one or more processors configured to execute computer instructions stored in the computer-readable memory for interacting with a user and processing voice commands received by the microphone after recognizing a command phrase indicating a user's intent to issue a voice command. 
 
     
     
       21. An electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing; 
 audio driver assemblies arranged in a circular configuration within the device housing, diaphragms of each audio driver assembly arranged so that audio waves generated by the diaphragms are initially oriented toward a central region of the circular configuration; and 
 an annular printed circuit board electrically coupled to one or more of the audio driver assemblies and supported by two or more of the audio driver assemblies. 
 
     
     
       22. The electronic device as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a computer-readable memory disposed within the device housing; 
 a microphone disposed at an exterior surface of the device housing; and 
 one or more processors disposed within the device housing and coupled to the computer-readable memory, the one or more processors configured to execute computer instructions stored in the computer-readable memory for interacting with a user and processing voice commands received by the microphone after recognizing a command phrase indicating a user's intent to issue a voice command. 
 
     
     
       23. The array speaker as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a computer-readable memory disposed within the device housing; 
 a microphone disposed at an exterior surface of the device housing; and 
 one or more processors disposed within the device housing and coupled to the computer-readable memory, the one or more processors configured to execute computer instructions stored in the computer-readable memory for interacting with a user and processing voice commands received by the microphone after recognizing a command phrase indicating a user's intent to issue a voice command. 
 
     
     
       24. The electronic device as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a computer-readable memory disposed within the housing; 
 a microphone disposed at an exterior surface of the housing; and 
 one or more processors disposed within the housing and coupled to the computer-readable memory, the one or more processors configured to execute computer instructions stored in the computer-readable memory for interacting with a user and processing voice commands received by the microphone after recognizing a command phrase indicating a user's intent to issue a voice command. 
 
     
     
       25. The electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a computer-readable memory disposed within the device housing; and 
 a processor disposed within the device housing and coupled to the computer-readable memory, the processor being configured to execute computer instructions stored in the computer-readable memory for interacting with a user. 
 
     
     
       26. The electronic device as recited in  claim 25 , further comprising a plurality of microphones distributed radially about the device housing. 
     
     
       27. The electronic device as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising a wireless communication system disposed within the device housing. 
     
     
       28. The array speaker as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a computer-readable memory disposed within the device housing; 
 a microphone disposed at an exterior surface of the device housing; and 
 a processor disposed within the device housing and coupled to the computer-readable memory, the processor being configured to execute computer instructions stored in the computer-readable memory for interacting with a user. 
 
     
     
       29. The array speaker as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the processor is further configured to process voice commands received by the microphone after recognizing a command phrase indicating a user's intent to issue a voice command. 
     
     
       30. The array speaker as recited in  claim 29 , further comprising a wireless communication system disposed within the device housing and configured to transmit the voice commands to a remote server for further processing.